John P. Gaines

John Pollard Gaines
3rd Territorial Governor of Oregon
In office August 18, 1850 – May 16, 1853
President	Millard Fillmore
Preceded by	Kintzing Prichette
Succeeded by	Joseph Lane (as Acting Territorial Governor)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 10th district
In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849
Preceded by	John W. Tibbatts
Succeeded by	Richard H. Stanton
Personal details
Born	(1795-09-22)September 22, 1795 Augusta County, Virginia, U.S.
Died	December 9, 1857(1857-12-09) (aged 62) Salem, Oregon, U.S.
Political party	Whig
Spouses	Elizabeth Kinkead Gaines Margaret B. Wands Gaines
Profession	Politician, Lawyer

John Pollard Gaines (September 22, 1795 – December 9, 1857) was a U.S. military and political figure. He was a Whig member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Kentucky from 1847 to 1849, and he served as Governor of the Oregon Territory from 1850 to 1853, stepping down after a turbulent term in office. He was the owner of Margaret Garner, whose enslavement and sexual assault is the basis for Toni Morrison's novel, Beloved.